1
as in lurched
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
as their boat seesawed in the rough water, the rescue team tried to get the passengers off the sinking ship
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Recent Examples of seesawed
The way outflow mechanisms seesawed for this black hole suggests a natural mechanism of self-regulation, and that jets and winds compete for the same matter.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Jan. 2026
But the policy soon seesawed again.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, gilt yields seesawed as the contents of the budget were accidentally leaked early by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The attorney general's power has seesawed in recent years.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Jan. 2026
But the policy soon seesawed again.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, gilt yields seesawed as the contents of the budget were accidentally leaked early by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The attorney general's power has seesawed in recent years.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seesawed
Verb
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The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
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As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Several giant foam fingers bobbed above the crowd.—
Martin Silva Rey,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Tyla’s glam included bobbed hair and cornrows with bold makeup, featuring smokey eyes.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The pair swayed together before exchanging a kiss as the dancers surrounding them cheered and applauded.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
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Seattle Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald swayed with his eyes closed while New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stood tall with a hand over his heart.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After Dalibor Dvorsky scored with 13 minutes left to put Slovakia ahead, Slafkovsky wired a shot past Saros on the power play and pumped his fist to the crowd.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
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After teammate Cory Thiesse—you’re free to address them as Girl Cory and Boy Korey—delivered the game-winning shot in the eighth and final end, a sort of curling version of an inning, Dropkin pumped his fists, and waved his arms up to the crowd at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Recent grocery store closures have rocked the north side of Milwaukee, where growing food deserts – areas where quality food is difficult to find – have left entire neighborhoods without ready access to food.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tomlyn asked, to which Chloe shook her head no.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
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And after Britain scored four stones to take the score to 10-5 in end seven, Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee and Lill Harri also called an end to their match and shook hands.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seesawed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seesawed. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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